Start with the End in Mind: Vision Planning for Practice Owners
Start with the End in Mind: Vision Planning for Practice Owners
Let’s play pretend for a minute.
Imagine that you’re driving cross-country with no map, no destination in mind, and no idea how much gas you’ll need. On the one hand, this sounds incredible (for me, at least!). Freedom from planning, freedom from responsibilities, freedom from staying on a specific course. Seriously sounds like an adventure, doesn’t it?
Until… you’re stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, wondering where it all went wrong. At what point did you run out of gas, exactly? Why didn’t you plan for hotel stays? And how, exactly, did you end up in this dinky little town in the middle of nowhere?!
That’s exactly what running a group practice without a clear vision can be like - an aimless journey that seems fun (initially) until you’re met with a bunch of could-have-been-avoided hiccups, broken down and defeated, and generally exhausted from the amount of wasted energy.
Vision planning isn’t just some fluffy, pie-in-the-sky exercise (although I love those, too #OwnItTara). Vision planning serves as a major foundation for building a thriving, sustainable group practice. By starting with the end in mind, you’re not only defining where you want to go, but you’re also creating a roadmap to get you there.
What is Vision Planning? (Psst: It’s Not Just Daydreaming)
Vision planning is the process of defining your ideal future for your group practice.
In the world of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System #GinoWickman4Lyfe), this involves articulating where you see your practice in 5-10 years, breaking it down into shorter-term goals, and aligning your team and resources to achieve that vision.
It’s not about dreaming small, either. Vision planning is your chance to dream big and put concrete plans behind those dreams. Think of it as a combination of strategy, clarity, and a little sprinkle of magical pixie dust. Without a clear vision, you’re left guessing and, as much as I wish it was, guessing is not a strategy.
The Challenges of Skipping Vision Planning
So, what happens if you don’t have a vision plan? That’s a great question. And hopefully I have great answers.
Team Misalignment: If you haven’t defined the destination, your team can’t work together to get there. This leads to confusion, frustration, and even resentment, which then, ultimately, results in turnover (#HorrorOfHorrors).
Reactive Decision-Making: Without a vision, you’re stuck putting out fires rather than proactively building your practice. This can make every small challenge feel like a crisis.
Stalled Growth: A lack of direction often results in stagnation. If you’re not aiming for something specific, you’re likely spinning your wheels instead of making meaningful progress.
Okay, let’s pause for just a second.
Did you read the above and cringe a little bit? Did you think to yourself, “ugh, gawd, why does that sound so familiar?” Did you skim through so as to avoid the discomfort of being ‘seen’ by a blog?
If so, take heart! There are many large-scale (and small-scale) problems in the world, yet this is one that is and remains entirely solvable (#Phew).
The Positive Impact of Vision Planning
Let’s just take a little minute to chat about what happens when you do invest the time and energy into vision planning. The good news, also, is that the benefits are both actual (read: tangible) and transformative
Aligned Goals: Your entire team works toward a shared vision, which helps to create a sense of unity and purpose. Everyone knows what they’re working toward and, more importantly, why they’re working towards it.
Better Decision-Making: With a clear vision, every decision becomes easier. Does this new hire, new service, or new expense align with your long-term goals? If not, it’s a no. Goodness gracious, this is such an understated benefit (#GimmeAllTheMentalSpace)!
Scalable Growth: Vision planning gives you the structure to grow strategically, not haphazardly. You’ll have a roadmap for when and how to expand, ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the expense of quality or culture.
Fulfillment and Purpose: Let’s not forget the warm fuzzies because #FeelsRLyfe. Knowing you’re building something that aligns with your values and passions is deeply fulfilling. It’s why you started this journey in the first place, right? Bonus is that your team can feel as fulfilled (probably to a lesser extent, but still fulfilled!) by building something they align with, as well.
What Does a Vision for a Group Practice Look Like?
Here’s where you get to dream big. A vision for a group practice might include:
Financial Goals: Annual revenue targets or profit margins.
Team Culture: A workplace where your team feels supported, valued, and excited to come to work.
Client Impact: The number of clients you serve or the specific outcomes you aim to achieve.
Community Presence: Becoming the go-to mental health resource in your area
Personal Fulfillment: Building a practice that allows you to step back and enjoy more work-life balance.
How to Start Vision Planning (Actionable Steps)
Ready to get started? Here’s a quick roadmap. Note that each of these steps could be blog posts in and of themselves. I am giving you a teeny, tiny nutshell version of something because I want you to know the steps. We can get into specifics at some point, but you can at least start here!
Clarify Your Core Values: What do you stand for? Your values will shape every part of your vision.
Define Your Long-Term Goals: Where do you see your practice in five or 10 years? Get specific.
Work Backward: Break those long-term goals into 3-year and 1-year objectives. What steps need to happen to make that vision a reality?
Align Your Team: Share your vision with your team and involve them in the process. Their buy-in is critical.
Revisit and Refine: Vision planning isn’t a one-and-done exercise. Revisit your plan regularly and adjust as needed.
Let’s Build Your Vision Together
Creating a vision plan can feel overwhelming, but, as with most incredible things in life, you don’t need to go at it alone. This is my jam, folks! Book a Discovery Call with me and let’s start building the roadmap to your dream group practice. We’ll work together to make sure your vision isn’t just an idea that putters out - we’ll make it a reality.
About the Author
Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a gently-candid consultant who’s been in the trenches of group practice ownership since 2017. With a hearty blend of depth, irreverence, and a solid dash of humor (or so she hopes), Tara helps practice owners navigate the can-be-messy process of hiring, culture-building, vision generating, people-y issues, and all the other things that keep you up at night. When she’s not consulting, she’s probably wrangling her animals or homeschooling her kids—because why not add more chaos to the mix?
Ready to dive deeper into practice culture? Join the membership and get access to the tools and insights that make thriving, sustainable practices more than just a pipe dream.
